Disclaimer: This is a fan based fiction.

Author Notes: Hey all! Thanks for your patience. Sorry this one took me a little longer. I had it finished for weeks but I just kept fussing with it.

Thanks sooo much for reviews/follows/favorites! I appreciate it so much.

I'm also working on a Durarara love triangle story, so if you haven't checked that out yet, you should!

TWO YEARS LATER:

Year 844

Levi sat at his table, meticulously rubbing a clothe over a fine glass cup. It was one of many from a set he'd snatched in a recent heist. A particularly lucky find and they'd all made it intact. He held it up to the light to examine it for imperfections, then continued to buff them away. When he finished he placed it on the table and began to repeat the act on the next glass.

He looked up when a knock came to his door. He contemplated for a second, then stood and crossed the living space, pulling his knife from it's holster. He wasn't expecting company, and anyone visiting this late only provoked suspicion. He gripped the door knob and swung the door open, but it was the last person he had expected.

The ashy haired noble girl he'd seen years ago, was standing there with an expectant smile. She didn't say anything. Just hurriedly invited herself inside his home, closing the door behind her. Feeling there may be some urgency, he gave her space to enter and began to put his knife away. She wasn't someone he recognized as a threat.

"How did you find me?" He asked her. She didn't answer. "What are you doing here?" He asked again. His brow became tight with irritation. "At least wipe your damn feet."

What she did next had him floored. She still didn't say a word. Just closed the space between them and assaulted his lips. He tensed, completely caught off guard. Every muscle inside him froze. He found himself in a haze, unable to react as quickly as he usually could. With his hesitation, she invited herself even closer, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Levi wasn't necessarily shy, or inexperienced when it came to women, but this wasn't a bar maiden or brothel girl. For all he knew she was a noble, or something of the sort. This was a girl from a place so far beyond anything he could imagine, considering the divide in the classes thrust upon them. She might as well be from the moon. But she was here. And she wanted someone like him.

All of this, and her insistent coaxing eventually overwhelmed him. He finally caved and took the invitation, arms snaking around her waist, responding to her hot kiss. She quickly made it clear she hadn't come just to make out with him. He allowed her to push him back until he felt the couch at the back on his knees. With a small nudge, he allowed himself to sit, the girl coming to straddle his lap in the very same motion. She held his face now, guiding him against her mouth. His mind had only just begun to contemplate if his hands should start to roam as she unbuttoned and began to remove her dress.

Levi knew he should be more cautious. Every instinct he had willed him to gain some self control. To stop it while he could. This was all happening so fast and he didn't even know why. But when she leaned in and whispered "Make love to me." in a rasped breath against his ear, he became completely powerless. There was little more he could do but groan and start to hastily help yank her dress down. Once it was down far enough, he started to trail kisses down her neck to her breasts. If she wanted him that bad, in his mind at least, he had no choice but to oblige.

Suddenly, she seemed to stop responding. Her grip on him loosened and she fell quiet. Curious, Levi pulled away. Perhaps she'd finally come to her senses and decided to stop this craziness. His heart leaped into his throat when he noticed the unfamiliar arm that hung around the girls neck, and the blade gripped it it's hand. The invader stood tall behind the girl, smiling down on Levi's shocked face. Levi immediately recognized the man and knew what was to come. He tried to pull her protectively toward him.

"Kenny, NO!" He shouted, but it was far too late. The blade had already come to her throat and ripped it wide open. The girl went limp and her blood spilled all over his lap.

"NO!" Levi shouted, sitting up in his bed, instinctively thrusting his knife toward the person that had tried to stir him.

"Hey!" Furlan exclaimed as he recoiled away from his friends bedside to avoid the knife swipe.

Levi quickly came to his senses, scanning the room. The realization came quickly after that. A dream. A really fucked up dream. That's all it had been.

"Damn!" Furlan shouted at him. "You nearly killed me! That must have been some nightmare."

Levi sighed heavily, bringing a hand to his face to rub his eyes and hide a soft blush inconspicuously. "It didn't start out that way..."

"Well, remind me to never try and wake you again." Furlan came back to his bedside. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. You just never usually sleep this late. You know we have that job."

"I know." Levi replied.

It had been two years since he had seen that noble girl. He'd think about her now and then, but it was always a passing thought. Nothing more.

The first day after he'd seen her he showed up to that underground entrance early. She did say she'd be back. He found himself waiting until evening, but there was no sign of her. There were bells and commotion on the surface all day. He wondered if something of an event was happening, and someone as important looking as her must surely be involved in the affairs. When he returned the next day it was the same. He scanned the crowds and people in passing but she never showed up. By the third day he wasn't optimistic. 'Good.' He'd thought to himself. He'd told her not to come back. Without his guidance she'd surely be robbed or raped or worse, and he justified that it simply wasn't a distraction he needed.

He had no idea what would provoke him to dream about her now. Especially in such a way. He didn't typically have such erotic dreams. But more importantly him. Kenny... The psychotic man that had raised him. Why was that man suddenly appearing in his dreams?

When he finally dressed and came downstairs, Isabel's voice pierced the quiet that Levi was quite enjoying. "Hey bro! You slept really late today!"

Levi didn't answer. Just raised a finger to his lips, silently demanding that she lower her volume.

Isabel understood the gesture and did just that. "Sorry."

He nodded, beginning to search for some tea. Furlan sat with Isabel, giving her head a pat. "He woke up grumpy, don't mind him."

"More than usual?" Isabel asked.

Levi just rolled his eyes, filling a kettle with water.

"Hey bro!" Isabel began, then remembered to adjust her volume again. "Is it going to be tonight? Do you think?"

"How would I know?" Levi replied.

"I didn't ask what you know. I asked what you think!" She retorted.

"No."

"No you don't think so or just...no?" Isabel asked, with a confused tilt of the head.

Levi threw a mildly irritated look over his shoulder at the young girl, but shook his head and answered. "No, I don't think so."

"Why?" She inquired.

"Its too small. They won't likely get wind of it. They'll strike us on a bigger heist." He explained. "One that the Military Police become involved with."

"Ahhh.." Isabel nodded. "You're so smart bro..."

"And when they do?" Furlan added.

"We begin the plan." Levi confirmed. "Get those documents and kill Erwin Smith."

Linnea sucked a huge breath in, squatting low, a heavy barbell balanced on the back on her neck. She gripped it tight in both hands, letting the breath escape hard from her puckered lips.

"Stay right there." Mike demanded, arms crossed across his chest as her observed. She halted, giving a discontent grunt, remaining in the seated position under the strain. "Keep your weight in your heels. A few more seconds." He ordered. She did, breathing deeply in and out for a few more torturous counts. "Alright," He said finally, freeing her. "You're done."

She grunted, pushing her body vertical again, hastily dropping the barbell to the floor. It made a loud clap that echoed through the empty gym. "I have a sneaking suspicion that you just want to see how big you can make my ass before it becomes comical." Linnea blurted, snatching her water canteen off the floor.

Mike just about effortlessly picked up the barbell and placed it back on the rack. "The bony ass you had before couldn't handle ODM gear. Your legs need to be strong for maneuvering and landing."

"I get that. I really do. But this is getting a little ridiculous." She remarked, turning on her heel and looking in the mirror, noting the noticeable change in her measurements. She remained petite, but over the years of rigorous training with Mike, she had become sleek and toned. She felt good. Stronger. But, as she mentioned, whether he meant to or not, Mike's intense leg training she had struggled through was making her a rather strong... rump.

He'd been tough on her from the start, but her improvements in self defense and growth in strength were remarkable. This fact she recognized in herself, which had kept her complaints typically at a minimum during the physically grueling times. Today, however, she was feeling rather cheeky.

"You wish I was perverted enough to care." Mike said simply, nursing his own canteen.

Linnea was about to throw another witty retort back when she heard a loud thud resound from the locked door of the gym. Her face shifted and she eyed the tall blonde accusingly. "I can't believe you're leaving me alone with her for so long..."

He shrugged. "You forget there was a time I was always alone with her. You'll be fine." He assured her.

"Hey!" Hange's voice called from the other side of the door. "You guys forgot to leave this open for me!"

It must have been time for Linnea to conclude her physical training and begin book work with her bizarre brunette tutor. Such had become the norm. They shared an uninspired look but Mike relented and went unlock the door for their eccentric friend.

Linnea made her way through the training grounds. Even her walk had changed by now. Before she walked elegantly, striding with grace out of pure habit. She'd always been taught to walk as if her feet weren't even touching the ground. To be as delicate as a flower or a bubble. Something as simple as wearing trousers required a lot of getting used to. It was a strange sensation for someone who'd never in her life worn them, even once. It was unheard of for a young noble lady. She'd dressed in nothing but the finest gowns since practically birth.

She found a soldier's foot fall was much heavier. She felt mechanical at first, when she'd tried to adopt the habits of the men and women she came to be surrounded by. It was like re-wiring her head. It had been drilled into her brain her whole life; to walk and talk eloquently and politely. But eventually she did learn to somewhat move and act as they did, suppressing the finer habits that sometimes nagged at her. There were things she so often wanted to do, like hold her hands folded in front of her properly or wear her hair in a long fine braid.

"Hey Sarah!" One scout called to her as he carried on his duties. Linnea waved to the young man in passing. It had taken her a while to respond immediately to the name Erwin had given her.

'Sarah Smith.' That's what most of the people here called her. Squad Leader Erwin Smith's estranged niece, who lost her family and had come to live with the only kin she had left. At least, that was the tale they'd spun to conceal her true identity. No one questioned the story. There was no reason to. It was in this way she was able to move among them, unnoticed. She wore the uniform of a cadet, the crossed swords crest on her back, but no one knew where her true affiliations lie. She received private training and tutoring with the most elite scouts and it was no secret that Erwin took a special interest in developing her skills. Most assumed she'd follow in her 'uncles' footsteps and join the Survey Corps whenever she was deemed ready. But she'd asserted on multiple occasions that she hadn't committed to a specific military branch just yet.

She was allowed into the monitored area of offices, recognized by the sentries there and allowed to pass. With some familiarity, she found her way to a private office. That's where she found the pensive man she was looking for. Erwin sat, right where she had expected, meticulously working out the kinks in his long range technique. "Aren't you leaving soon?" She asked, shutting the door behind her.

"About an hour, yes." He replied, his eyes never leaving the paper on his desk.

Linnea welcomed herself to a seat. She crossed her legs properly, one of the habits she found herself most often suppressing. In Erwin's company she allowed some things to relieve herself. "Shouldn't you prepare?" She asked.

"All preparations have been made." He replied, using a ruler to draw a line from one mark to another.

She just nodded, silently chewing the inside of her cheek. With nothing else to say, she just scanned the room, unconsciously tapping the foot of the leg crossed across her lap.

In Erwin's company she had learned to be comfortable with long, drawn out silences.

But Erwin had come to know the girl better than she realized most times, and wasn't afraid of reminding her.

"You seem irritated." He remarked, never looking up.

Linnea was often thrown off by his bluntness, but more often by his keen observations. She hadn't said anything to hint her troubled mood. In fact, she hadn't planned to. But now that he brought it up, there was something that was bothering her. And if he insisted on hearing it she'd start talking. "Why are you going to the capital?" She asked.

It was unusual. His long distance recon plans had finally passed through the planning stages and trial runs. After some delay, the funds for the expedition had been approved as well. With his first excursion implementing the new strategy just a short time away, Linnea couldn't comprehend why he would make such a trip now, of all times. But she'd come to know him pretty well too. Well enough to know he didn't do senseless things. Not ever.

"It's a sensitive, strategic mission I've chosen to take on. It could prove imperative to the expedition to come." He told her.

"And that tells me nothing." She replied, narrowing her gaze at him. "What kind of mission is considered 'sensitive' for you? And what about it is 'imperative' to your agenda?"

When Erwin realized she wasn't going to settle for the generic answer he'd given everyone else, he finally put his pen down. "Very good, Sarah." He said and decided to explain. "I've been told in the underground city of the capital, a group of rouges have come to acquire standard military issue Omni-directional mobility gear."

Linnea failed to see the sense in his journey for that alone. "Can't they just...have it?" She asked.

"The gear is not my concern. I'm told they use it expertly. We can't be sure they're ordinary citizens."

"Isn't that a matter for the Military Police?" She inquired further.

"Ordinarily yes. But they can't catch them."

Linnea nodded. "And you will?"

"That's the plan, yes." He confirmed.

"Why do all of that?" She still failed to see his logic.

"It's something of a catch them and keep them deal. I've already secured a location they're planning to raid in a few days. We'll intercept and apprehend them. If they're willing, they'll be recruited as Scouts."

"If they refuse?"

He shrugged. "I suppose they die."

"Still," Linnea, pressed. "Why?"

"This excursion is going to be the first of it's kind. We need every advantage we can get, and I'm sure you're aware, I prefer to have the cards stacked in my favor."

"Cards, or people?" Linnea said, watching his reaction carefully.

Erwin looked at her with this, but his face slowly shifted to a smirk. "Both."

Linnea knew it was no accident; the people Erwin chose to take an interest in. She realized it shortly after she'd started working closely with his underlings. People like Mike, and Hange. Each of them possessing something absolutely exceptional. Even herself she came to know.

With his honesty, she felt her irritation fade. He'd leveled with her. It was all she wanted. "I'm sorry." She admitted. "Mike had be up early training and then Hange talked my ear off all afternoon. I shouldn't have been indignant."

Erwin chuckled. He knew few people who used such eloquent words. He found it humorous hearing them from a young girl like her. "Understandable."

"And," She found herself adding. "I just worry. You know how I feel about the capital." She admitted.

This made sense, considering what she'd been through the last time she'd been there. It was only natural that she'd be concerned for his safety. Despite their sometimes tense exchanges, she had developed an affection for the man. He'd made good on all his promises so far. In the two years she'd been his 'niece', he'd kept her safe, clothed and fed. On top of that, the resources he gave her were prodigious. She owed him a great deal for all of it.

"I appreciate your concern, but there's no need to fear on that account. Mike and the rest of my squad will be there to assist me. We'll be back within the week." He assured her.

"If there's an opportunity to get back earlier, I hope you take it." She hinted. Even now, even after all this time, she felt far from secure left on her own.

"You'll be fine Sarah." He tried to quell the fears he knew she had for herself. "In theory, Linnea Shah has been dead for years now."

The week passed slower than Linnea could have imagined. Especially with few others for Hange to focus her energy on. Still, as routine, she woke every day and participated in the bustle of the encampment.

"You should really cut that." Hange urged her young friend.

Linnea ignored her as her fingers quickly laced and weaved her hair over her shoulder. In no time at all she had a long braid that she coiled tightly into a bun on the back of her head and tied into place. Mike had threatened to cut it if it got in the way of their training, so she'd mastered the art of keeping it secured and tightly out of the way. Her long hair was something she just wasn't willing to give up. It was the only thing she felt she had left that reminded her of the noble life she'd once had.

She pulled her feet into her ODM harness and began the tedious process of buckling herself in. The straps crossed over her knees and clipped at her waist. Then came the chest and shoulders. When she was done she adjusted the holsters for her hand triggers under her arms for comfort. "How many targets are there?" She asked her friend as she began to assemble the rest of her rig.

"Between five and a hundred." Hange answered.

"That wasn't vague enough, could you please try harder?" Linnea replied sarcastically.

"Oh you're right, that's not at all fair. How about between five and fifty?" Hange asked. Linneas dissatisfied look was her answer so she went on. "You've had enough training. This is baby stuff. Scout the area and figure it out for yourself."

"Scout the whole training ground? The whole forest? I'll use too much gas. Did you at least leave a few supply caches?"

"I guess you'll find that out too!" Hange retorted with a smile that seemed mockingly friendly.

"I just want to get this over with." Linnea mumbled, screwing her gas tanks in.

"When you're outside the walls do you really think you're going to have a Titan head count and supply cache map readily available?" Hange asked.

Linnea breathed a sigh of irritation. "I know. I know."

"You've seemed rushed with you training lately." Hange observed. "You can hardly rush training for an encounter with Titans."

"So I'm told." Linnea replied.

"Sometimes," Hange went on. "I wonder if you intend to see Titans at all."

Despite her quirks and peculiarities, there were times Hange was as sharp as a whip. "What are you talking about?" Linnea asked flatly, hoping to brush the subject off.

"I just find it strange." Hange went on. "All the training. The extra attention Erwin gives you. It seems you'll have every advantage in a fight you don't plan on being in."

"Are you saying I lack dedication?" Linnea asked.

"For killing titans? Yes." Hange said. The irritated look she provoked from Linnea caused her to raise her hands in defense. "Don't get me wrong. I didn't say you're not a hard worker. You're far from the scrawny girl Erwin brought here. You've gone through all the mechanics of becoming a well oiled Titan slaying machine. I just wonder why we'd put all this time and effort into someone who didn't plan on doing just that. Erwin especially." A smirk came creeping onto her face. "And don't tell me it's because you're his 'niece'" She gestured with air quotations. Hange hadn't bought that story from the start, but she trusted Erwin enough to go along with whatever this rouse really was.

But even when Hange casually brought it up like this, Linnea wouldn't confirm or deny her suspicions. "I just don't know what I want to do yet." Linnea decided to confess. "This just..." She searched for her words. "Isn't what I ever imagined for myself."

Hange nodded. "I guess I can understand that."

"So, will you hold it against me if I don't join the scouts?" Linnea asked honestly.

"No." Hange replied with an honest answer. "I"d just like it better if you were on our side."

"I didn't think there were sides here." Linnea observed.

Hange grinned. "There are. I'm not saying I'm on the better side, or smarter, or whatever. But the Scouts are on humanity's side."

Linnea had often admired Erwin speaking with such conviction and loyalty to a greater cause. It was something she respected, but had trouble grasping. Having come from such a privileged and isolated place, her world had always been so much smaller, and admittedly short sighted. She did long to be devoted to such a cause. But the truth was, as comfortable of a life Erwin had made for her here, she still remained depressed. There was a yearning for purpose, but it was as if her whole life had been restarted.

On top of that, she'd left behind so many loose ends from her previous life. Her brothers and her duties weighed heavily on her heart. Her brother Roman was only fourteen when she left. He would have been alone when news on their fathers death and his sisters disappearance had reached him in the Saipali Ridge. He had become a noble Lord at such a young age. And Cole, her youngest brother had only been three in 842. By now he probably didn't even remember what Linnea looked like. And they'd both grow to bear the duty of preserving and protecting the Library and their region alone.

Linnea knew Titans were a great enemy to humanity. She knew she was being groomed and shaped to have a fighting chance in that conflict. But after what she'd seen in the Capital those years ago, she wondered if Titans and wicked humans were one in the same. She wondered who her true enemy would prove to be.

"Squad leader!" A young scout shouted as he rode up to the pair on horse back. "The Scouts have been called to an assembly! I've been informed you are to assemble your team and form ranks in the courtyard immediately."

The two shared a confused look. "Well, I guess you're off the hook today. Let's go." Hange said, relenting and heading to her tied horse.

Linnea let out a long groan and began to disassemble her ODM rig.

Back at the base of the encampment Hange's team formed in a line behind her. Linnea hung back on the sidelines observing. Her face lit up when she noticed Erwin at the head of his team and Mike immediately behind him. They'd made it back well enough by the look of it and Linnea was thankful for that. Each squad leader stood at attention with their team, waiting to be addressed.

"Attention!" Commander Shadis' voice erupted over them. Linnea's training kicked in, and she immediately adopted a better posture. He went on. "Starting today these three will be fighting along side you!"

Linnea looked to the three new Scouts at the front of the congregation. The rogues Erwin had apprehended no doubt. A young red headed girl, looking rather enthusiastic. A taller, attractive blonde man. When her eyes fell on the last of them a strange feeling blew through her. She recognized him immediately.

"Introduce yourselves!" Commander Shadis demanded.

'Levi' Linnea remembered him right away. Their meeting had been brief and the words they exchanged were few, but she remembered. She was visibly excited at first. It wasn't as if she knew him that well, but a familiar face from the past was something that thrilled her. She couldn't quite explain it. As if it proved that the life she had before all this had indeed existed.

The feeling faded though, when Levi's eyes found her on the outskirts of the assembly. He seemed surprised at first, but his eyes soon grew tight and his gaze narrow. Linnea was taken aback by the toxic stare she provoked from him. She had no idea why he'd met her eyes with such hostility. She checked around her just to be sure the stare was meant for her. But there was no one around but her.

Commander Shadis clearing his throat and everyone's staring brought Levi back to attention. "Levi." He said simply and irately.

"Levi," Commander Shadis scoffed. "The first thing you'll learn is some fucking discipline. Next!"

The other two introduced themselves and the group was assigned to Flagons squad. With that the assembly was brought to a close. Linnea watched Levi and his friends leave before moving through the disbursing squads to find Erwin and welcome him and Mike back.

When they were left to become acquainted with the barracks, Levi was still visibly fuming. Despite their ample notice and preparations, this Erwin Smith had remained securely one step a head of them at ever turn. Even though they'd planned to be capture and, in theory, their plans were progressing smoothly, Levi's pride had taken a huge blow. Erwin Smith was turning out to be a tougher adversary then he'd given him credit for. Levi was already contemplating the soonest opportunity to kill him. He was sure his ego wouldn't be at ease until he did.

That wasn't the only thing on his mind though. And it wasn't the condescending shit mouth of a commanding officer or the disgusting excuse for a sleeping space they'd been provided. Those all rode on his nerves, but one thing pissed him off above all. It was that girl. That noble born girl. Or so he had thought. Apparently no more than a common solider. She talked with Smith and his underlings with such familiarity after the assembly. How deep did her involvement in this shit show run? She probably had a hand in it all along... Even all those years ago.

He furiously wiped his hands on a handkerchief after touching their bunks.

Furlan finally began the task of quelling him in their privacy. "I hope you haven't forgotten why we're here."

"I know." Levi replied irately. He did. He remembered why they'd come all this way. Why they'd succumbed to capture and these ridiculous circumstances. To retrieve the documents, secure their citizenship, and kill Erwin Smith. A task becoming more urgent to Levi with each passing hour.

Their attention was pulled to the door when a soft knock came. Levi's aggression flared again when he recognized the ashy haired girl again, leaning in the doorway. She was taken aback by his hostility again, but summed up the courage speak. "Hi. How are you all adjusting?"

Furlan smiled broadly at the sight of her and was about to answer, but Levi immediately started to cross the space, marching toward the girl. She remained frozen in the doorway, unsure of his intentions, but he certainly looked angry. She sucked in a surprise breath when he grabbed her by her shirt and roughly pulled her inside the room. "Hey!" She yelped, quite startled while he tugged her along.

"Hey Levi!" Furlan protested.

"Bro! What are you-" Isabel started.

"Shut the door!" Levi demanded.

"But-"
"Do it!" Levi ordered.

Isabel, unsure of what else to do, hurried to shut the door before someone could hear the commotion. Levi roughly shoved the girls back against the wall, pinning her there. He was going to get some answers. Now.

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